Question
My child has been experiencing abnormal symptoms recently, including sudden fainting, foaming at the mouth, and convulsions all over the body. I am very worried. In the past month, there have been two similar occurrences. The child has been diagnosed with epilepsy. What should I do?
Answer
Epilepsy has up to 30 different types, each with varying treatments and prognoses, and there is no single medication that can treat all types of epilepsy. If a child is diagnosed with epilepsy, the first step should be to seek help from a specialist at a regular hospital. The doctor will inquire about the medical history in detail and conduct necessary examinations, such as electroencephalograms, brain CT scans, and MRI scans, to confirm the condition. After diagnosis, the doctor will provide a correct and effective treatment plan. Currently, commonly used medications include traditional antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine and sodium valproate, as well as new antiepileptic drugs like lamotrigine, topiramate, and oxcarbazepine. These drugs have better safety profiles and fewer side effects compared to older drugs like phenytoin and phenobarbital, making them ideal choices for epilepsy patients. During treatment, it is generally recommended to start with a single medication at a low dose. If a single medication is ineffective, consider switching or adding another medication. If a drug is found to be ineffective or has unacceptable side effects for the patient,…